Max Kofler: Die Revolution

Doing really well so far, balancing the squad with the transfers. Koln definitely have a bright future with Max at the helm.

The league has seen some very inconsistent results it seems never quite managing to go on a big run of victories. However, that’s to be expected in the 2nd tier of any league and being just behind on GD there is still the great possibility that you win the league.

Having Horn stay committed to the team is a massive bonus for Max aswell. Being one of the more highly talented goalkeepers in Europe let alone Germany, having him is a great testament to what Max is doing at the club.

With any relationship being unable to work out with Sophie, it is great to see his new bond and love with Laura. It’s important for everyone to have that rock with them to support them throughout the good and the bad and thankfully Max has that.

As always, great to read and catch up. Keep it up mate!

Risky to judge performances on the back of friendly results, but one thing is for certain is that with those wins behind you - particularly against the talented Partizan - you will have a lot of momentum to return to the upcoming league fixtures with. I want Pohjanpalo starting every game as well, also made permanent. The man is a machine.

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After a successful winter-break, Köln returned to 2. Bundesliga hoping to continue their campaign with a victory against 1. FC Union Berlin. However, the trip to the capital proved to be a miserable one for the visitors, as they succumbed to a humiliating 3-1 loss. The only positive of the game came when debutant Joel Pohjanpalo scored a consolation goal with fourteen minutes to go.

A response was necessary, as Hamburger SV opened a three-point gap at the top of the division. A loss to DSC Arminia Bielefeld prior to Köln's trip to FC Erzgebirge Aue, ensured that the gap would remain that way, until Köln comfortably dismantled their opponents with a 3-0 drubbing, with Effzeh levelling on points once again.

A late-goal from Simon Terodde resulted in a slender 1-0 win against FC.St Pauli, who defeated Köln earlier on this season - handing Max Kofler his first loss in management. This came prior to another disappointing loss, this time against SC Paderborn 07, who sought to continue their push for the third-placed spot, which merited a play-off spot. A strong-second half performance allowed the hosts to keep their lead in-tact, as they held on for a remarkable 2-1 victory.

February concluded with a victory, however, as Köln struck early against SV Sandhausen. Simon Terodde came up trumps once again, scoring his third goal in as many games, for the club. This took the German's tally to the season, overall, to thirteen.


Despite a stuttering run since returning from the winter-break, Köln moved top of 2. Bundesliga. They managed to gain a two-point lead over Hamburger SV, who fell to two losses during February, against DSC Armenia Bielefeld and SSV Jahn Regensburg, respectively.

The latter sat in third, five points behind Hamburger SV, but also five ahead of their nearest challengers for third-spot, SV Darmstadt 98. Arminia Bielefeld returned with venom, securing four wins in five games, which allowed them to move up to fifth.

1. FC Magdeburg secured their first and second victories of the season during February, beating both SC Paderborn 07 and Holstein Kiel. This allowed them to reduce the gap between them and sixteenth-placed Dynamo Dresden, who pulled themselves out the bottom two, to seven points. FC Erzgebirge Aue fell into the relegation zone, but only due to their slightly inferior goal-difference to Dresden.

SpVgg Greuther Fürth and SV Sandhausen continued to keep their heads above the relegation play-off position, but the former sat just three points ahead, with the latter five points clear. Both sides managed just a single victory each, since returning from the winter-break.

Köln made one final addition before the window closed, in a final couple of weeks that sparked numerous departures from the club. 32-year-old Slovakian international Peter Pekarik arrived from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin for £825,000. He made just shy of 150 appearances for the side, including seven appearances this season, prior to moving to the RheinEnergieSTADION.

His experience is vast, having played for VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga prior to joining Hertha in 2012. The right-back adds competition for Karlo Bartolec, who has been unchallenged since arriving from FC Nordsjælland in the summer, for £2,200,000. The Slovakian has already made his debut and has gone to make three appearances since joining.


The arrival of Peter Pekarik allowed the opportunity for Dominik Becker to leave the club, temporarily, on loan. The 19-year-old joins Austrian Bundesliga side Sportclub Rheindorf Altach until the end of the season, where he is expected to collect regular first-team minutes to further his development, having been unable to appear in Max Kofler's plans, this season.


Striker Jhon Córdoba has been unable to impress Max Kofler this season, after making eighteen appearances last term, without reply in-front of goal after his £15,000,000 move from 1. FSV Mainz 05. The Colombian has subsequently been allowed to leave the club on loan to join RB Salzburg until the end of the season, in hope he can restore his goalscoring abilities, with the Austrian champions paying a fee of £47,500 per month for his services.


The final departure of the window is a further loan deal. Christian Clemens has joined FC Basel after being limited to just a single appearance in a Köln shirt this season. The winger, who made fourteen appearances last season, has been left frustrated with his lack of opportunities after being forced out the side by the performances of Louis Schaub, in particular.


Köln face an important month during March, as they seek to continue their bid to win 2. Bundesliga. The month begins with a trip to FC Ingolstadt 04, prior to hosting in-form Arminia Bielefeld. MSV Duisburg will follow, with the hosts holding onto their slight hope of clinching the play-off spot, in which would allow them to compete for a place back in the top flight. Köln will then finish the month by entertaining Holstein Kiel at the RheinEnergieSTADION.

Replies

SoA: It's been a tight season so far, as you can see. But now Köln are in the driving seat, Max will be keen to ensure they remain there.

LFC: That theme continues! The second tier, especially in German, is known for these kind of results - it's a tightly-contested league with plenty of upsets. It's all about ensuring you put up as many results as possible, as maintaining a constant run of victories is not entirely expected.

I really enjoyed writing those updates. I'm really pleased you enjoyed them. Laura and Max are a good pairing, indeed. But it's important that we remember Sophie fondly, too. She had a real impact in Max's life and whilst the reality of the relationship not working out hurt him, and continues to do so, to some extent, he will always have a place for her in his heart.

Jack: The momentum wasn't particularly evident against Union Berlin, in truth. But, yes, momentum can be an important factor in football. If you consistently pick up results, you find a rhythm. Losing games consistently means it's difficult to find a rhythm, which is why it's key to look to put past mistakes behind you and get the winning feeling back, at all costs, which is something I think has been achieved at Köln so far. As for Joel, his impact has been felt so far - both he and Simon are proving to be a handful for defences.

Not the kind of results you like to see when you’re chasing a title or promotion itself. However, by the looks of things Hamburger haven’t had the greatest return to league football either. Nice to see Pohjanpalo ease his way into the side with a few goals as well. As far as I see it, automatic promotion looks good for the time being with a seven-point gap between yourself and 3rd place. Next few months are the deciders, for sure.

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Max Kofler argued that the month of March was the most important month of his managerial career to date, as Köln battled to hold the advantage going into the penultimate month of the season. They opened the month was a trip to FC Ingolstadt 04, in which Köln narrowly overcame, with the hosts heaping the pressure on late on. Dario Lezcano scored from the penalty-spot with four minutes to go, but the visitors held on to escape with a vital three points.

Joel Pohjanpalo continued his excellent form in-front of goal, after joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, scoring twice as Effzeh battled their way past DSC Arminia Bielefeld. His strike from just inside the area with seven minutes to go proved to be the decisive goal during a tough afternoon.

MSV Duisburg held Köln to a stalemate at the MSV-Arena, next, with both sides not gaining much from the result. Neither team were able to create enough chances, as the scoreline presented a fair reflection on the match itself.

Finally, Köln snatched an emphatic victory over Holstein Kiel to conclude March's proceedings. Bruno Pittón's strike in added-time put the icing on the cake, with the left-back securing his first goal for the club since joining from Unión Santa Fe in the summer. Max Kofler stated it was the perfect way to end what had been a tough, but mostly enjoyable, month for his side.


At the end of March, Köln had increased their lead at the top of 2. Bundesliga to four points over Hamburger SV, who dropped points in back-to-back 0-0 draws with FC St.Pauli and SV Darmstadt 98. They held a six point cushion to third-placed SSV Jahn Regensburg, however, who continued their excellent over-performance this campaign.

SV Darmstadt 98 sat four points adrift, whilst five clubs sat behind on 41 points, including 1. FC Heidenheim 1846, who had won five games on the bounce. The race for the play-off spot in the 2. Bundesliga was continuing to heat up, with nine clubs, at least, still in contention.

Despite a brief change in fortunate, 1. FC Magdeburg failed to win any of their last three fixtures and maintained their spot at the bottom of the division. They were joined by SpVgg Greuther Fürth, who endured seven losses in their last eight games - picking up just four points since returning from the winter-break.

FC Erzgebirgie Aue were cautiously looking our their shoulder, with just a point separating themselves and Fürth. SV Sandhausen held a five-point advantage our their nearest rivals, whilst some improved form from SG Dynamo Dresden allowed them to climb upto fourteenth and six points clear. They had lost just one game since returning from the winter-break, losing their first-game against DSC Arminia Bielefeld. Since, they had continued a steady-run, going eight-games unbeaten.

April played host to a tricky group of fixtures for Köln, with an away trip to the in-form side in the division, 1. FC Heidenheim 1846, to begin. Köln would then host Hamburger SV, in a game which could help decide the fate of the league title, before games against improved SG Dynamo Dresden and play-off challengers SV Darmstadt 98, respectively.

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Jack: You are correct, there. Köln were fortunate that Hamburg failed to capitalise and struggling to amass wins over the course of those games. I think the form over March was much improved and something you would expect from a side in their position - picking up necessary results when it matters the most, battling hard until the end, shown by the timings of some of the goals, in particular Joel's against Arminia Bielefeld. With a ten point gap between themselves and Regensburg, things are looking comfortable, for the time-being, when it comes to promotion.

Great month to keep you up top. Bundesliga, here Koln come.

BACK ON FORM. Pohjanpalo proving an inspired signing Ten points ahead of the playoff positions is a fantastic place to be in with just nine games remaining. Keep the results coming and you'll be back with the big boys.

Results are definitely on the rise going unbeaten throughout the month is a great job. Hopefully promotion can be secured very soon and that 4 point gap between you and second can be increased!

A very solid month after a few inconsistencies in January and February! Hopefully its enough to guide Max`s Koln back to where they belong!

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FC Köln have confirmed their promotion to the Bundesliga following a 2-0 victory against SV Darmstadt 98 at the RheinEnergieSTADION last night.

FC Köln secured promotion to the Bundesliga after a 2-0 win against play-off contenders SV Darmstadt 98. The result ensured that they would return to the top flight just a year-on from finishing rock-bottom of it, following a dismal campaign which resulted in their relegation to 2. Bundesliga.

Louis Schaub and Rafael Czichos were both on-target for the hosts, as Max Kofler and his team celebrated promotion with the supporters at full-time. The Austrian, who was appointed as head-coach in the summer, collects his first piece of silverware in management, after a glittering playing-career.

The 38-year-old accepted his first job in management upon taking the reigns at the RheinEnergieSTADION, after a short-spell as assistant to Franco Foda as part of the Austrian national team setup. Kofler lifted the World Cup as a player, whilst captaining his country - scoring a late-winner against Spain in Johannesburg in 2010, as well as winning the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga across a seventeen-year spell.

However, he describes winning promotion with Köln as one of his greatest achievements.

"I'm absolutely delighted to finally get over the line and secure our status for next season. The supporters, players and board all expected promotion at the first-attempt, and I'm very pleased to finally achieve it. It's one of my greatest achievements in football - it's completely different to succeeding as a player. You feel a great responsibility, a responsibility that is a lot different to that of a player or captain."

"It's fully deserved. We've battled hard this season, in a tough division. 2. Bundesliga has a reputation for being a difficult league to get out of and you can understand why. Everyone has the ability to beat anyone, much more so than in many other leagues across Europe. You can't underestimate anyone and I think we've demonstrated that, by respecting every opponent we have faced."

Köln achieve their feat with three games to go. They currently sit top of 2. Bundesliga, six points ahead of Hamburger SV. Kofler discussed his sides chances of winning the title.

"We're in touching distance, but it's not over yet. We can't rest easy. It's important we continue to show the same intensity we have over the course of the season - like we have tonight - if we want to finish the season with the league title. Hamburg still have an opportunity, so we need to close things out. They're a fantastic side and I have full faith that they will keep the pressure on us until it is secured."

Kofler's men would secure the title with a victory against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, should Hamburger SV fail to match their result against FC Ingolstadt 04. A victory for Hamburg would all but mathematically secure their promotion to the Bundesliga due to their far superior goal-difference over third-placed SSV Jahn Regensburg, who sit five points clear of nearest rivals SV Darmstadt 98.

Replies

SoA: Indeed they do. Delighted to have promotion confirmed.

Jack: Definitely, which was needed! Joel has been an absolute revelation since joining, which I suspected you'd be pleased with.

LFC: Signed, sealed, delivered.

Maguire:

Congrats! A big achievement for Max and hopefully Koln get that last win needed to secure the title!

The summer is going to be be interesting to see with potential additions to ensure the club stays up and from there, who knows where Max can take them!

Congratulations man! Be interesting to see the step up to the Bundesliga and how the much money the board give you to spend. Good luck!

Congratulations! The Wiener is well and truly on the rise!

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FC Köln secured their promotion back to the Bundesliga following the conclusion of April. They began the month with an entertaining victory over in-form 1. FC Heidenheim 1846, in a ding-dong battle. The hosts took the lead in the 48th minute, before the visitors equalised shortly after. Johannes Geis put Köln in-front, prior to a 83rd minute equaliser.

However, Joel Pohjanpalo proved to be the saviour once again for Max Kofler's side. The Finnish international sealed all three points with three minutes to go, scoring his second of the afternoon and seventh of the season, as a result.

A 3-0 thumping of Hamburger SV allowed Köln to continue their charge towards the title, as the visitors were embarrassed across ninety minutes. The result meant that the fate of the league title would be in Köln's hands, with them gaining a seven point advantage over their nearest rivals.

The improving SG Dynamo Dresden caused Köln to become unstuck, however, in the game that followed. A 1-0 victory ensured they continued their late-season surge up the table, whilst Kofler's side allowed Hamburger SV to close the gap, but only minimally, after they only managed a 1-1 draw against relegation-candidates FC Erzgebirge Aue. The loss also resulted in Effzeh's promotion-party to have to wait a further week.

A 2-0 victory against SV Darmstadt 98 allowed the delayed party to finally commence, though, with promotion to the Bundesliga finally confirmed. Over 45,000 packed into the RheinEnergieSTADION to witness their side's triumphs, as celebrations continued long into the night across the city.


FC Köln's promotion was finally secure after their victory over SV Darmstadt 98, as they also extended their advantage to six points over Hamburger SV. Failure to match Köln's result against SpVgg Greuther Fürth would result in the 2. Bundesliga title going to Effzeh. However, a victory against FC Erzgebirge Aue would all but secure their own promotion to the Bundesliga.

SSV Jahn Regensburg sit six points behind second-place, with a vastly inferior goal-difference to Hamburg, but hold a healthy five point advantage over fourth-place SV Darmstadt 98. 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 sit a point further back, thanks to some improved form since returning from the winter-break.

At the bottom, 1. FC Magdeburg are potentially one-game away from relegation to 3. Liga. They are currently eight points adrift of FC Erzgebirge Aue in sixteenth. Having won just four league games this campaign, should they fail to beat VfL Bochum, they would be relegated to the third tier.

SpVgg Greuther Fürth accompany them in the relegation-zone. They maintained their dismal form, despite a shock victory against SV Darmstadt 98 at the start of April. Sitting two-points behind FC Erzgebirge Aue, who occupy the relegation-playoff spot, they are nine points behind fifteenth-placed SV Sandhausen, meaning their fate, it seems, will be decided in the relegation play-off, at best.

Sandhausen hold a five point advantage over Aue with three games to go, as they seek to preserve their status in 2. Bundesliga for another season by avoiding the relegation-playoff spot.

Köln will conclude their season with fixtures against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, SSV Jahn Regensburg and 1. FC Magdeburg, knowing they could very well lift the title at the end of the season.

Replies

LFC: Indeed it is and it's a great start for his managerial career. He'll look to see out the season now, then once things are concluded, look to next season - although things are already being drawn up, in some regards.

Maguire: Definitely. The board have been fairly generous thus far, so it would be fantastic and beneficial if this trend continued.

Justice: Nah, that one is subtle and funny. Fair play.